Klarinet Archive - Posting 000518.txt from 1996/12

From: Peter Stoll <peter.stoll@-----.ca>
Subj: Selmer 37 and Buffet Prestige Low C Bass Clar's
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1996 14:00:45 -0500

Hi all,

I've been very interested to read Neil L. and others' comments on the new
Selmer model 37 basses. I first learned that Selmer had updated its very
popular model 33 a few years ago from a friend who had saved up, flown
over to Selmer in France, tried out the then just-introduced 37's, and
not liked them at all, mostly on the basis of sound. He went for a Buffet
instead. He did have reservations about the size of the sound (he was
playing in large groups) but otherwise liked it, and to my knowledge
still plays on this horn.

Recently I decided to "take the plunge" after too many years of
scrounging a low C bass for some contemp.composer's brilliant inspiration
of writing one page of extended bass cl.double at the end of an otherwise
all-Bb/A/Eb concert, and for wanting to get on with the business of
really learning and being able to enjoy this magnificent instrument. Some
of you may remember I posted a "wanted" note to this list last Sept.
Well, wouldn't you know it, a Toronto player saw that and rang me up. He
was due to get and try 2 of the newer Selmers, and if he bought one,
would sell me his terrific old 33, about which his only reservation was
the consistency of intonation, which he'd had custom work done on (an
insert on the low E/B hole) but wondered if the newer horns had fixed.
Well, the horns came, he tried them and...no way! He called up to say
that both had noticeably bright sounds, and he was sticking with his
faithful 33. Before they got sent back, I tried both the horns, and found
them both bright, one very much so, the other somewhat, and the
intonation okay but not perfect enough to justify the thought of the
purchase price (heading up towards $1OG Can.!!!). Then another list
member emailed in a "for sale" for his Buffet Prest., so I went and tried
it, and very much liked it. Sound seems big enough, intonation is
blessedly consistent, including low extension notes (all a bit sharp, vs.
low notes flat, over the break sharp on old Selmers I've played), and
keywork a pleasure (nothing's bent yet! :) ).

Granted I'm still fairly new to being a full time bass owner (or is that
owned full-time by my bass?) but from all angles I've heard, Buffet has
won out each time/listener.

Peter

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org